Sponsored Content | Clariant
To learn more about the Clariant and Licocene products, click here.
Setting a new standard in pocket spring and mattress ticking adhesives
Clariant has developed a specialty line of hotmelt adhesives called Licocene®. Because this adhesive solution comes straight from the polymerization plant it isn’t necessary to blend the Licocene products with processing oils, resins, waxes, or other modifiers to create adhesive performance.
Clariant’s Licocene products are produced using metallocene catalysts. This technology makes it possible to control the structure and physical properties of these performance polymers more precisely than in case of more conventional processes. In comparison to other polymers, Licocene adhesives have a low melting point and low viscosity, allowing processing at both lower temperatures and dosage all the while maintaining their high mechanical strength.
Avoiding processing oils and polymers inferior to metallocene polyolefin in the adhesive formulation brings multiple benefits to sleep products. Licocene adhesives allows for mattress production in a cleaner and safer environment since smoke can be avoided when the hotmelt adhesive is being processed. Both char and unsightly black specs in the bond lines can be avoided saving time and money normally spent in maintenance and machine down-time.
As reported from multiple customer trials, users of the Licocene product range have gained up to 40% add-on savings, due to better mechanical bond strengths of the polymers within both the pocket spring and ticking applications. Mattress manufacturers involved in the trials found that a greater cohesive strength or “guts” within the construction, which can result in less material losses and faster production at lower temperatures.
Mattress manufacturers are keen on supplying their customers with a product that is free from unwelcome odors. Clariant’s Licocene product ranges are based on C2 and C3 monomers, which significantly reduces the odor and yellow color compared to many other adhesives. Clean, almost invisible bond-lines can be achieved utilizing Licocene PP 2502.
In 2021, Clariant was listed in the 2021 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) marking the ninth consecutive year that this rating has been received and demonstrating that Clariant is one of the most sustainable companies in the global chemical sector. Clariant’s outstanding performance in economic, environmental, and social terms is reviewed in-depth and extensively in the context of the DJSI listing, which is regarded by experts as the most well-known and one of the most credible sustainability rankings. Clariant developed its own label and logo for sustainability excellence, EcoTain®. The label establishes ambitious benchmarks for products by considering the overall benefits and impacts across the entire product life cycle. Each product labeled as EcoTain® undergoes a systematic, in-depth screening process and significantly exceeds sustainability market standards, has best-in-class performance and contributes overall to sustainability efforts.
Clariant is also very proud of the innovative advancements made in sustainable adhesives by developing 100% renewable based polyethylene and polypropylene polymers and waxes. The 100%, non-fossil C2/C3 are referred to as Licocene Terra and Licocene PP 2502 Terra respectively for mattress applications. Our renewable raw material streams have both RedCert and ISCC+ certifications. The Terra product range offers the same performance benefits while contributing to a lower carbon footprint. In some cases, switching to Licocene Terra leads to a negative carbon footprint with respect to certain bonding solutions*.
In summary, Clariant’s Licocene offers a wide variety of benefits for sleep products. Low odor and low emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) add to the excellent mix of properties that make Licocene® products an excellent choice for applications like mattress ticking and pocket springs. The colorless feature ensures invisible bond lines. Mattress manufacturers can benefit from up to 40% add-on savings linked to reduced energy consumption and productivity gains. The 100% renewable based Licocene Terra product range provides high-performance solutions specifically designed to meet consumer driven sustainability demands. To learn more about the Clariant and Licocene products, click here.
* Including biogenic carbon uptake
